"Is there no other way ?" "There is another way," said Zinita, "if one can be found to try it." And again she looked at him strangely, causing the blood to beat within him.

"Hearken! do you not know how our people are governed?
They are governed by him who holds the axe Groan-Maker.

He that can win the axe in war from the hand of him who holds it, shall be our chief.

But if he who holds the axe dies unconquered, then his son takes his place and with it the axe.

It has been thus, indeed, for four generations, since he who held Groan-Maker has always been unconquerable.